CVE-2023-23901 in SkyBridge Basic MB-A130
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2023
Improper following of a certificate's chain of trust exists in SkyBridge MB-A200 firmware Ver. 01.00.05 and earlier, and SkyBridge BASIC MB-A130 firmware Ver. 1.4.1 and earlier, which may allow a remote unauthenticated attacker to eavesdrop on or alter the communication sent to the WebUI of the product.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23901 represents a critical flaw in the certificate chain validation mechanisms implemented within SkyBridge network security appliances. This weakness affects specific firmware versions of both the MB-A200 and MB-A130 device models, where the systems fail to properly verify the authenticity and integrity of digital certificates presented during secure communication sessions. The improper handling of certificate trust chains creates a fundamental security gap that undermines the cryptographic protections designed to safeguard web-based administrative interfaces. This flaw specifically impacts the secure web user interface functionality, which serves as the primary management portal for configuring and monitoring these network security devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate certificate validation routines that do not enforce proper certificate chain of trust verification. When devices receive certificate requests or establish secure connections through the web interface, they fail to validate the complete certificate path from the presented certificate back to a trusted root certificate authority. This allows attackers to potentially present forged certificates that appear legitimate to the device's validation system, thereby bypassing the intended security controls. The flaw operates at the TLS/SSL protocol level where certificate validation should occur, and it specifically affects the web user interface authentication and encryption mechanisms. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation related to improper certificate validation and trust chain management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables remote unauthenticated attackers to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against the affected devices. Attackers can exploit this weakness to eavesdrop on sensitive communication traffic between administrators and the web interface, potentially gaining access to administrative credentials, configuration data, and other confidential information. Additionally, the vulnerability allows for active attack scenarios where malicious actors can alter communication content, modify device settings, or inject malicious commands into the management interface. This compromises the integrity and confidentiality of all administrative operations, potentially leading to complete device compromise and unauthorized network access. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the web interface typically requires minimal authentication for initial access, making the vulnerability exploitable without prior credentials.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to the latest available versions that address the certificate validation flaws. Organizations must also consider network segmentation strategies to limit direct access to these administrative interfaces, implementing strict firewall rules and access controls. The use of network monitoring tools to detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts should be enhanced, particularly around the web interface ports. Additionally, implementing alternative authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication and secure remote access solutions can provide additional defense layers. According to ATT&CK framework considerations, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through network service exploitation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive network security monitoring and incident response procedures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining exposure points and ensure complete remediation of the certificate trust chain validation issues.